It was the moment when previously hopeful Welsh heads slumped into finger-crossed hands and optimism and hope were once again crushed by dramatic sporting heartache.

It was the moment when previously hopeful Welsh heads slumped into finger-crossed hands and optimism and hope were once again crushed by dramatic sporting heartache.

But for rugby fanatic Steve Halfpenny, Wales’ last minute defeat to Australia on Saturday afternoon could not have felt less important.

Standing in the Millennium Stadium as Kurtley Beale touched down for the Wallabies, the Swansea security guard’s eyes were fixed only on the distressing sight of his 23-year-old son.

“We were the other side of the pitch when it happened so we couldn’t initially tell who was down, but we soon realised it was Leigh and our hearts just absolutely sunk,” said Steve.

“It was terrifying for the whole family, especially for his mother who can barely watch the games anyway because she gets so nervous.”

As he had been for most of Wales’ autumn campaign, Halfpenny was again a shining light in a gruelling test match.

A tackle on Dave Dennis in the dying seconds saw the Australian dropping almost 18 stone of dead weight on the young full back’s neck and shoulders.

As Australia were celebrating a 14-12 victory Halfpenny lay motionless, as medics used oxygen, a neck brace and spinal board to carefully carry him from the field in an operation that took several worrying minutes.

Steve said: “The worst thing was then rushing down, trying to find out what the situation was and trying to get to the hospital when there were 70,000 people leaving the stadium and the traffic was horrendous.

“We just had so much going through our heads.”

The distressing images of Halfpenny being carefully stretchered off on Saturday brought back harrowing memories of Scotland’s visit to the Millennium Stadium in February 2010, when winger Thom Evans was carried off the field in similar circumstances.

The Scottish international, just 24 at the time, was forced to retire from severe neck and spine damage during the Six Nations defeat by Wales.

Scotland team doctor James Robson was later told that if a displaced neck bone had moved a millimetre it could have been fatal – or Evans could have been paralysed.

On Saturday, Halfpenny was immediately taken to the same hospital as Evans.

He underwent scans after complaining of neck pain but was discharged on Sunday.

Steve added: “Thankfully we were able to see him in the hospital as he was about to have an MRI scan and I think that made us all feel a lot better.”

On Sunday evening, Halfpenny took to Twitter to thank well-wishers.

In a series of tweets he said: “Would like to say thanks to all the medical staff at the WRU and Millennium Stadium, to the doctors and nurses at the Heath hospital, Cardiff for all your help, everyone was absolutely superb and can’t thank you enough!

“Thanks for all your kind messages, the support has been unbelievable and pretty overwhelming!

“Hopefully be back on the pitch soon #onthemend.”

Steve believes it is his son’s fearless determination to succeed for Wales that has contributed to his rise in the Welsh squad – as well as the odd injury.

“What happened on Saturday shows you exactly what wearing the Welsh jersey means to him, he will put his body on the line for his country, I’ve no doubt he would do exactly the same again,” he said.

“He leaves his all on the field, he’s not scared of taking on anyone. Unfortunately that gets you a little bit hurt now and again but it’s the nature of the game.”

In February, the proud father told how he nervously watched his son convert a winning 30-yard kick in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium during the closing minutes of last year’s opening Six Nations match against Ireland.

He said the full back’s electric displays for Wales during the Grand Slam campaign were built on heartache experienced during the World Cup semi-final against France 12 months ago, when a much tougher penalty crept agonisingly short and shattered Welsh dreams.

Speaking earlier this year, Steve said: “He’s not the kind of boy that lets something like that affect him. He’ll take on any challenge, he’d never shirk from the responsibility of taking a kick, that’s what sets him apart.”

And he echoed those sentiments after the Australia game, saying: “That knock will already be in the past as far as Leigh is concerned. He’ll have already forgotten about it and will be looking forward to making a quick recovery and getting back on the field.

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